Shewing how the Pilgrims arrived at the great City Vanity, with what befel them there.

"And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou, therefore, wilt worship me, all shall be thine."-Lukc iv. 5-7.

Now I saw, in my dream, that the pilgrims continued their journey several days, and I could not but admire the uniform course which the old man kept, leaning upon his staff at every step, and neither turning aside to the right hand nor to the left: and as he went he oft refreshed himself with the precious promises which his book contained. In the meanwhile I perceived that he had frequent occasion either to urge his brother forward, or to restrain his wanderings from their proper path, to obtain, as he said, a sight of the surrounding country.

After travelling thus some days, the pilgrims came to a wide plain; but by reason of the jungle and long grass growing on each side of the way, their prospect was shut up on every side. length the travellers arrived at a more open

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country, where the fields were adorned with clumps of trees and gardens, as in the neighbourhood of some great city: but the trees, though fair to look at, bare either no fruit, or such as was of an evil nature. And advancing to the brow of a hill, where they intended to pass the night under a tope of tall trees; they saw before them, in the plain below, a city, of which, for extent and magnificence, they had never beheld the like.

"Ah!" said the old pilgrim, "there is, I perceive, the City of Vanity: would to God we were well through it!" So the pilgrims sat down on the edge of the hill, and looked with wonder at the city, which contained four great divisions, and was inhabited by some of every nation under the sun. Now that quarter of the city which faced the pilgrims, and through which their road lay, was possessed by Mussulmauns and by idolaters; for, just at the entrance of the city, upon an eminence to the right, was a very sumptuous mosque, the lofty minarets of which seemed to pierce the clouds; and on the left, backed by a grove of trees, was a pagoda, covered with three cupolas, adorned with gold and scarlet colour, having figures of various debtas, painted upon the walls, of such monstrous size, that the pilgrims (even at the distance where they sat) could plainly distinguish them. These temples of Satan raised themselves above the houses of the inhabitants, which were built very thickly together, forming narrow streets in various directions. All this the pilgrims could observe from the side of the hill where they sat, from whence also they could hear the buzz of various voices out of the city, mingling with the distant sound of their idolatrous music. Then did the hearts of the pilgrims sink within them, under inexpressible concern, not only

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for themselves, but for the wicked inhabitants of the city.

Now I saw, in my dream, that, as they sat lamenting themselves, one came up to them, and said, "Peace be with you, my brethren." And when the pilgrims looked up, behold, it was the Christian messenger, who, through the appointment of God, had been the means of guiding them to the right way. So they were glad to see him, and made room for him to sit down between them. Then I saw that he comforted them, and prayed with them, confirming their faith. After which, he spake to them after this

manner:

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My brethren, the Lord Jesus Christ, when he sent forth his disciples into the world, addressed them in these terms-Beware of men! for I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you; and ye shall be brought before kings for my sake. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matt. x. 16-20, 22.)

"As it was in the days of our Lord," continued the Christian messenger, 66 so it is at this present time. The children of this world are,, and ever will be at enmity with the children of light; but blessed are ye, when men revile you and persecute you for your Master's sake."

Then said Bartholomew, "Is there danger now, of pilgrims suffering in that city as in ancient days?"

Christian Messenger. This depends greatly upon what part of the city pilgrims are ordained to pass through. In different streets of yonder city, pilgrims are differently treated. There are many streets the inhabitants of which call themselves Christians. Through these a man may pass without fear of bodily sufferings; though he will be exposed therein to various and dangerous temptations: temptation of gain-temptation of worldly pleasure and fleshly lusts-temptations from the ridicule of his companions, and the sinful fear of his brethren-temptations from the persuasions and blandishments of his kindred: and these trials, as the great tempter knoweth, are hard to be endured, having been the utter destruction of many pilgrims, yea of all those who have walked in their own strength.

Nazareenee. Well, I cannot but persuade myself, that a pilgrim must be a poor pilgrim indeed, who cannot stand the harmless ridicule of scoffers, the allurements of pleasure, or the persuasions of his ungodly kinsfolk.

Christian Messenger, Experience tells us that these kind of temptations are not easily endured; and perhaps much less so than trials of bodily afflictions and persecutions: for whereas the blood of the martyrs has ever been considered as the seed of the church, these slighter temptations have influenced thousands to forsake the path of life.

Bartholomew. Are there still many streets of yonder city, in which a Christian is in danger of his life?

Christian Messenger. Some there are, assuredly, where the very name of a Christian would still cost a man his life: these are the dark streets, where Idolatry and Mahommedanism reign unin terruptedly. In these, martyrs for the name of Jesus are continually sacrificed; though I believe

these things become daily less frequent. May our Almighty Guardian preserve you, my brethren, through all the trials which await you in that city, and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: for faithful is he that called you. (1 Thess. v. 23, 24.)

The Christian messenger then embracing the pilgrims, arose and departed; leaving them no less. impressed by his counsel, than thankful for his visit. And as the night came on, the whole City of Vanity was lighted up with many lights; while the pilgrims, as they sat upon the brow of the hill, heard more plainly the sound of the horns, the drums, and the shells, in the idol temples, together with the drunken songs and shoutings of the followers of Mahomet, as they revelled in the streets. Here therefore as the pilgrims looked and listened, they called to mind the peaceful dwellings and fragrant gardens of the interpreter, the groves of the Virtues on the summit of the hill Difficulty, and the lovely Valley of Humiliation, where the little shepherd-boy fed his flock without fear. And the remembrance of these things filled them with regret, drawing forth their hearts in earnest longings after Zion, that they might behold the King in his beauty, in that land which is very far off; (Isaiah xxxiii. 17.) where there is no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; but where the tears are wiped from every eye, and where there is no more pain. So they passed the night in fervent prayer and solemn discourse. And as the morning drew on, they prepared themselves for the unavoidable trial of entering the city; when having commended themselves to God, they descended the hill towards one of its gates.

Now, as they approached, they met many persons taking the morning air under the city walls